Special ch.6 - Edited Once

Joy (Edited Once)

I entered Dad’s office without knocking and saw him on the phone with a serious expression. “Dad, is it normal that my wolf hasn’t talked to me in almost a week?” I asked as I sat crossed legs on his desk.

“Hello to you too, pup!”

“Oh, hey, Peter pa. Just the guy I need for my question, but why are you taking over? Is Dad okay?”

“Yeah, he’s fine. He just needs a bit of sleep since he has been dealing with pack stuff for the past month, and he’s tired. I decided to let him rest and take care of the pack calls, at least. Anyway, why are you asking about your wolf? Is Mel ignoring you because you fought or something?” Peter asked.

I crossed my arms and sighed. “She’s been ignoring me, alright, but we didn’t fight! She won’t tell me what’s wrong, and she’s always jumpy and anxious, which makes me anxious!”

Peter smiled and let go of the phone. “Oh, I think I know why... Joy, you are 20, right?” I nodded, and his smile grew wider. “Finally!”

“Finally, what?”

“I believe you will meet your mate soon, pup!” His statement made me freeze.

My mate? Oh, yeah... I forgot about this topic. Exams distracted me for quite a while, but now Mel’s behavior makes sense.

“I don’t know how to feel about this. On the one hand, I want a mate and have a family. On the other hand, I am scared.”

Peter’s dark eyes changed color, and I knew Dad was back. “Scared of what, honey?” He stood up and gave me a tight hug.

I got up from the desk and sat beside Dad on the couch. “I am scared that he might not love me for who I am. I am scared of leaving you and of the ‘what if things go wrong’ situations.”

“Joy, you are my precious daughter. I love you so much. I know these feelings will stick with you until you find him, but it’s normal. I was scared before I found your mom. However, my fear was that of not finding her and not the other way around. So, be grateful that your wolf is feeling your mate, and believe me... he would have to earn my trust before you move out with him. Don’t worry. I won’t hand you off so easily!” Dad’s soothing and threatening words calmed me, and I felt Mel’s happiness again.

‘Let’s go out, let’s go out, let’s go out!’

‘Why now?’

‘Let’s go out now!’ she yelled.

I frowned, and Dad noticed. “Is it Mel?”

“Yes, she wants to go out. See you at dinner time, bye, dad.”

‘You either don’t speak with me for a week or don’t shut up?’

‘You will thank me later. Let’s go to the basketball court.’

‘You are weird, Mel, but let’s go.’

“Hey, Logan.” I saw him lying on his bed with a book in his hand. “Mel wants to go to the basketball court near the mall, and I have no idea why. Do you want to come with me?”

“That’s odd, but okay. Lan wants to smell some fresh air, too, so let’s go,” Logan said and got up. “Do we have to tell mom and dad?”

“I just texted Mom, and Dad knows.”

‘Let’s run there!’

‘Why Mel?’

‘Just do it!’

‘Fine.’

“Mel wants to run; let’s go. She’s freaking me out,” I told my twin brother, and he shrugged.

“Suits me, let’s go.”

‘Would you tell me what’s wrong?’

‘Nothing’s wrong, don’t worry, Joy.’

‘Then why are you in a hurry?’

‘You will find out in a minute.’

‘Mel, you are weird!’

‘I got my weirdness from you!’

‘Shut up, you sassy wolf!’

‘Huh, that’s the best you got as a comeback? You need practice, dear.’

‘Whatever, I am not in the mood to argue with you.’

“I could tell that Mel is driving you nuts. What does she want?” Logan asked as we entered the court.

“We are about to find out. Now, Mel, here we are.”

‘Sit down and wait.’

“Wait for what?”

‘Just wait!’

“Fine, let’s sit down.” I grabbed Logan’s hand, and we sat down on a bench.

“Wait, do you want an ice cream cone?” he asked, looking at the ice cream van near the second entrance.

“Sure,” he got up and walked away. I grabbed my phone, checked my upcoming assignments, and almost cried at them. When will they end?

I turned my phone off and gazed in Logan’s direction. He was arguing with a guy instead of seeing him holding cones. The guy’s back was to me, so I did not see his face. I got up and rushed to my brother’s side if he needed help. However, as Logan wanted to punch him, the most fantastic smell entered my nostrils. “Stop!” I yelled, and Logan looked at me.

“What do you want, Joy? Let me finish this quick, and I will be with you.”

“No, Logan. Stop.” I repeated, and the guy faced me. I was startled for two reasons. One, he was Richard, the guy who called my mom a whore five years ago. Two, he was my mate.

“Why? I want to finish my blow, which got interrupted years ago because of the principle.” Logan’s discourse made me laugh.

“Really, Logan? We broke his nose and hand. I think he learned his lesson, am I right, Richard?” I asked with a smile.

“Yes, I was about to apologize for what I did, but Logan didn’t give me a chance. I was a stupid kid back then, and I am sorry!”

“Yeah, right. Good thing I won’t have to see you again. Bye!” Logan said, and I grabbed his hand.

“Jokes on you, brother, because Richard’s my mate.”

‘I told you we need to come to this court. I felt his presence. You’re welcome!’

“I am?” Richard asked with a surprised expression, and we looked at him. I forgot he was human.

“You know what a mate is?” I asked.

“Yes, my dad is a werewolf, but mom is a human. So, I am half-werewolf, half-human. I don’t shift, but I have the speed, vision, sense of smell, and the mind-link you guys have, yet since I don’t have a wolf in me, I didn’t sense that you are my mate, Joy.” He looked at me with the sweetest smile. The boy from school was gone, and now he was a man who was my mate.

“Mind blown!” Logan commented, and I laughed. Logan walked ahead of us, giving us privacy.

“What do you think your parents would do when they learn about me?” Richard asked and stood in front of me. He was extremely handsome, and I did not notice this years ago because of his awful personality, which has changed. Thankfully.

“Nothing, they’d be very welcoming. Let’s go meet them.”

“Are you sure?” he asked as he rubbed the nape of his neck. I held his hands and felt the sparks. “I felt that,” he added.

“I did too. You look handsome, by the way,” I admitted. I was never shy, so I had no problem sharing my feelings. He, on the hand, was red.

“Thank you. You look beautiful, more beautiful than before...”

“Mom, Dad! I found my mate!” I called as soon as we entered our home.

“What?” They both yelled back and rushed to the entrance. Mom stopped when she saw Richard, and Dad got confused.

“Richard!” Mom’s comment made Dad squint his eyes, and then they winded as if a light bulb got lit in his head.

Shit!

“Oh, heck no!”